Free History of Groundhog Day Worksheet
A history of Groundhog Day worksheet is a simple way to show kids where this tradition actually began and how it changed over time.
The mix of short facts and easy coloring sections helps make the timeline clearer, from Candlemas to Pennsylvania settlers and finally Punxsutawney.
It’s a straightforward February activity that works well for a quick social studies warm-up, morning work, or a seasonal lesson that doesn’t require extra prep.
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What’s Inside the Groundhog Day History Worksheet
These Groundhog Day worksheets make it easy to introduce the tradition’s roots and how it developed into the celebration we know today. The mix of coloring and short fact boxes keeps the lesson simple while giving kids a clear timeline to follow.
Each page highlights a key moment or figure connected to Groundhog Day:
Gobbler’s Knob. Groundhog Day was first celebrated on February 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where the town introduced its “rodent meteorologist.”
Candlemas. A Christian observance where clergy blessed and distributed winter candles. The length of the candles symbolized how long the winter might last.
Pennsylvania. German settlers carried the Candlemas tradition with them and replaced hedgehogs with groundhogs when predicting the weather.
Clymer Freas. A local newspaper editor who helped launch the first official Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney.
Groundhog shadow. Early celebrants hiked to Gobbler’s Knob, where the groundhog’s shadow determined the forecast.
Punxsutawney Phil. In 1887, Freas declared Phil the nation’s official weather-predicting groundhog.
Inner Circle. Local leaders who oversee the modern festivities, complete with top hats and the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect.
These worksheets keep the history compact and accessible, giving kids a straightforward way to learn about the tradition while still enjoying a bit of creative coloring.
More Groundhog Worksheets
If you’re building a small Groundhog Day unit, these additional worksheets pair well with the history activity and give kids a fuller look at the tradition and the animal itself:
- Groundhog life cycle printables – a straightforward way to show how groundhogs grow and prepare for hibernation.
- Parts of a groundhog worksheet – helpful for introducing basic anatomy and vocabulary.
- Groundhog Day writing worksheet – prompts that let kids imagine the day from a groundhog’s point of view.
- Groundhog Day coloring pages – simple, creative pages that work well for early finishers or quiet time.
Top Groundhog Day Books for Kids
Books are an easy way to add context and story to a Groundhog Day lesson, especially if you want to reinforce the history or give younger kids a familiar narrative to connect with. These titles work well alongside the worksheet:
- Celebrating Groundhog Day: History, Traditions, and Activities – A clear, kid-friendly look at how the tradition began and why it’s still celebrated.
- The Night Before Groundhog Day – A light, rhythmic read-aloud that builds anticipation and helps younger kids understand what the day is about.
- Groundhog Day! – Bright illustrations and simple explanations make this a good pick for early elementary learners.
These pair well with the history worksheet and add a bit of story-based context without making the lesson feel heavy.
Get Your Free History of Groundhog Day Worksheets Here!
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Last Updated on 18 November 2025 by Clare Brown
